#234: SCHLÖNDORFF, Volker: The Tin Drum (1979)

SCHLÖNDORFF, Volker (Germany)
The Tin Drum [1979]
Spine #234
DVD


Danzig, 1924. Oskar Matzerath is born with an intellect beyond his infancy. As he witnesses the hypocrisy of adulthood and the irresponsibility of society, Oskar rejects both, and, on his third birthday, refuses to grow. Caught in a baffling state of perpetual childhood, Oskar lashes out at all he surveys with piercing screams and frantic poundings on his tin drum, while the unheeding, chaotic world marches onward to the madness and folly of World War II. Honored with the Palme d'Or at the 1979 Cannes Film Festival and the 1979 Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film, Volker Schlöndorff's The Tin Drum (Die Blechtrommel) is a truly visionary adaptation of Nobel Laureate Günter Grass' acclaimed novel, an unforgettable fantasia of surreal imagery, striking eroticism, and unflinching satire.

142 minutes
Color
Monaural
in German
1:78:1 aspect ratio
Criterion Release 2004
Director/Writers


Based on the novel by Günter Grass.
Additional dialogue by Grass.
Schlöndorff was 40 when he directed The Tin Drum.

Other Schlöndorff films in the Collection:

#279: Young Törless (1966)
#914: Baal (1970)
#192: Coup De Grâce (1976)

The Film

Film Rating (0-60):

60

The Extras

The Booklet

Eight-page wraparound featuring an essays by Eric Rentschler and Grass.

Commentary

By director and co-writer Schlöndorff.

Isolated score

By Maurice Jarré.

Deleted scenes

Featuring commentary by Schlöndorff. 

Volker Schlöndorff Remembers The Tin Drum

A montage featuring Schlöndorff‘s thoughts and recollections about the film, along with on-set photos, storyboards, and images not included in the final film.

Illuminating collection

Of video interviews: with Schlöndorff and actor Bennent at the 1979 Cannes Film Festival; co-writer Jean-Claude Carrière and actor Adorf; Schlöndorff and author Grass during filming; and Schlöndorff after winning the Palme D’Or at the 1979 Cannes Film Festival.

The Platform

A rare 1987 recording of Grass reading an excerpt from his novel Die Blechtrommel, accompanied by the music of famed improvisational percussionist Günter “Baby” Sommer.

Reprinted excerpt

From the original screenplay’s unfilmed ending, with an introduction by Schlöndorff.

Banned in Oklahoma

A documentary by Gary D. Rhodes following the child pornography lawsuit involving The Tin Drum.

Original theatrical trailer

Extras Rating (0-40):

39

60 + 39 =

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